NEURODIVERSITY AT KELLANDS
At Kellands, we want to get it right for every child and we always aim to do better and be better, to ensure our school really is a place 'where everybody is somebody' and children feel safe, supported and nurtured. With this in mind, we have made a commitment to raising awareness of neurodiversity amongst our children, our staff, our parents and carers and the wider school community.
WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY?
Neurodiversity is the way we think, move, act, communicate and process information.
We are all different. Some people have challenges and strengths associated with conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Autism, Dyscalculia, Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, Developmental Language Disorder. There is not one person or one condition that defines our differences (or our similarities). We are too often defined by what we can’t do and not by what we can do.
At Kellands, we aim to foster a person-centred approach, this means we consider strategies that can be tailored to each person. It also importantly means harnessing strengths, to build confidence, self-esteem and become resilient.
In order to support our children, it is imperative that we support and upskill our staff. We are proud to have engaged with supportive, forward-thinking and extremely knowledgeable speakers, charities and organisations to help guide our school.
AUtiSM UNDERSTANDING
Autism Understanding Scotland (AUScot) is an autistic-led charity dedicated to helping people deepen their knowledge and understanding of autism.
It can be a daunting experience getting to grips with an autism diagnosis for a child or a family member. People are often given conflicting information about autism, and it can be hard to figure out fact from fiction.
Marion McLaughlin, the CEO of Autism Understanding Scotland, visited Kellands (February 2022) with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with our staff.
ADHD FOUNDATION
We were delighted to have Colin Foley, BA PGCE MA, National Training Director at ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity present to our staff (February 2023).
Colin’s work for the ADHD Foundation is grounded in empowering teacher’s to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people with ADHD through raising awareness of the specific symptomology of conditions such as ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and Tourette’s syndrome and related co-occurring mental health challenges.
Colin provided practical classroom strategies that our teachers could use at all stages, with knowledge on how to identify learners of concern, reduce learner anxiety, and promote learners' psychological resilience.
It's not just our staff that have been learning about ADHD. Pupils in Primary 5 have been learning about what ADHD is, some of the strengths and challenges that can come with having ADHD and how to show empathy towards others. The Umbrella Gang comic helped them learn about a range of conditions that fall under the Neurodiversity umbrella, and the children loved the way the people in the comic were celebrated! The children then created their own superhero characters to represent neurodiversity. See above.
DYSLEXIA JOURNEY
At Kellands, our staff have embarked on a Dyslexia Journey, led by Aileen Strachan from our Learning Unit, in order to create even more dyslexic friendly learning environments and approaches in our classrooms.
As with any journey, breaking it into stages makes the journey more manageable and achievable and a bit more fun too! Throughout the journey staff have identified strategies and/or resources that can help our learners; whether its downloading Read Write Gold onto a laptop for a child or implementing some helpful approaches to writing, using coloured paper or getting hold of one of the specialised dictionaries we have at Kellands.
Working together and taking it week by week, our staff work collaboratively towards an even more inclusive approach to help all our learners and particularly those with persistent literacy difficulties.
TOURETTE SCOTLAND
Sarah McClory, the Vice Chairperson at Tourette Scotland, delivered a session (February 2022) to our staff explaining the complexity of Tourette Syndrome and all the coexisting conditions that can come with Tourette's. Our teachers discussed the reasonable adjustments that can be made as a school to support a young person with Tourette's.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION
At Kellands School, we are committed to developing an Inclusive Communication approach throughout the school. Communication is a fundamental human right and by using an inclusive approach we enable our learners to be included and supported to reach their fullest potential.
For some, the use of inclusive communication is fundamental to their ability to participate and actively contribute to their learning. At Kellands, we use a variety of communication styles for example Makaton, symbols, technology etc. This allows our learners to express their views and understand what is being communicated to them.
Our staff have undergone training to understand the processes involved in communication and how we can use different ways to communicate with our learners. As a school we are committed to ensuring that our learners' voices are heard and respected.
Our staff continue to work hard to achieve and maintain our Silver Makaton Friendly status.